Whenever a member or officer of the Division of State Police is a defendant in an action or legal proceeding arising out of and directly related to the lawful exercise of police powers in the furtherance of official duties, the Attorney General shall provide that member or officer with necessary means for the defense of the action or proceeding, but not for his defense in a disciplinary or criminal proceeding instituted against the member or officer. If a disciplinary or criminal proceeding is dismissed or finally determined in favor of the member or officer, the member or officer shall be reimbursed for the reasonable expenses of his defense. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the Attorney General's authority under section 3 of P.L. 1972, c.48 (C.59:10A-3) to provide for the defense of a member or officer of the Division of State Police in any action or legal proceeding, if the Attorney General concludes that such representation is in the best interest of the State.
N.J.S. § 53:1-30